I know I have not posted for some months, not due to not wanting too or not having anything too say, however work life takes over from time to time.

But I will be back soon or more so when I can get my own domain up and running ok, its partly done at this present time, just needs some design tweaks. I will likely post any articles or comments on both WordPress and my own domain.

In Windows 8 by default Internet Explorer 10 is set to the Metro IE version over the more recognisable and more in my opinion usable desktop version of IE10, but help is at hand and we can change this, if you wish.

Metro IE10 Desktop IE10

To change the default opening Metro IE10 to the Desktop version of IE10 then a few settings need to be changed,

Open the Desktop and then open IE10 > Open the Tools menu (either click the gear in the top right corner or if like me you have the menu showing click the Tools > choose the Programs Tab, or Alt+X)

In the Opening Internet Explorer section and the Choose how you open links dropdown menu choose “Always in Internet Explorer on the desktop”

If you want any of the Tiles pinned to the Start screen to open the links in the Desktop IE version then check the “Open Internet Explorer tiles on the desktop” and click apply, close and then open IE from the Start Screen.

If you want to change the default opening Metro IE version to another browser (Firefox, Chrome, Safari etc) open the control panel, to easily do this right click in the bottom left hand corner and choose Control Panel.

Then click > Programs > Default Programs > Set your Default Programs.

Look down the list and choose your favoured browser.

One I have installed on this install of Windows 8 is the Alpha version of Firefox Nightly, so highlight it and choose “Set this program as default” > OK

I hope this helps in allowing you to choose the Desktop IE10 version if you are more happy using that one over the Metro version and in allowing you to choose a different browser to use.

Apple has lost one of a number of long running global appeals against Samsung in relation to Samsung allegedly copying their iPad design. This appeal was in the UK courts and the judges today have ruled that Samsung did not infringe Apples design of the iPad.

However it is very likely that Apple will appeal against this decision.

“Apple has lost its appeal against a UK ruling that Samsung had not infringed its design rights.

A judge at the High Court in London had originally ruled in July that the look of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab computers was not too similar to that of the iPad.

He said at the time that Samsung’s devices were not as “cool” because they lacked the “extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design”.

He also ordered Apple to run ads saying Samsung had not infringed its rights.

Judge Birss said one notice should remain on Apple’s website for at least half a year while other adverts should be placed in various magazines and newspapers to “correct the damaging impression” that Samsung was a copycat.

A spokeswoman for Samsung said it welcomed the latest ruling.”

Personally I think this spat between the two companies has gone on long enough and both products have a place in the marketplace as they cater for a different user base, it will also help drive new innovations and technologies, which will give the end user more choice.

What are your thoughts on the long running battle of the two companies, does it do more harm that good?

Microsoft today have released the prices for the RT version of their new Surface tablet, the prices start from £399 for the 32GB version without the Touch Keyboard (Black). The Touch keyboard as an optional extra is £99.99 and comes in Black, White and Cyan Blue.

However you can get 2 other versions of the Surface tablet that come with the Touch Keyboard (Black) for 32GB for £479 and the 64GB version for £559, but you only have the choice of the black keyboard, that also doubles up as the screen cover. If you wish one of the other two initial colours you will have to stump up £99.

I personally think the 32GB version either with black Touch Keyboard or for those who wish to be different the 32GB without keyboard will be the two to take on the iPad. The iPad 32GB is £479 so exact pricing as the equivalent Surface RT 32GB but the Surface RT has the Touch keyboard/cover for this price.

No prices as yet for the Pro version, which is the one I’m waiting for.

Prices for the versions of Surface RT and accessories HERE at the Microsoft Store UK, but if link doesn’t take you to the Microsoft Store in your region then search for Microsoft Store in your area if available.

Mozilla’s latest version of the popular alternative to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer has been taken offline for download due to a vulnerability found in the browser that could allow an attacker to gain access to your pc.

“The latest version of Mozilla’s Firefox browser has been taken offline after a security vulnerability was discovered.

Users who had upgraded to version 16 were advised to downgrade to the previous safe release until Firefox developers released a fix.

The vulnerability allowed “a malicious site to potentially determine which websites users have visited”, Mozilla said.

The non-profit company said that only a “limited number of users are affected”.

The download had been taken offline within a day of its initial release, the organisation’s UK spokesman said.

Some users were upgraded automatically to the new version, but are now being advised to uninstall the updates.”

Those using the latest version 16 of the browser are advised to downgrade to the previous version HERE or in my mind use an alternative as in Internet Explorer.

I will say that these days no browser is safe and issues like these are common place, we as the user just need to make sure we keep our Windows version and all software up to date and safe surf.

Microsoft and its Digital Crimes Unit have disrupted the emerging Nitol Botnet, which is a really good bit of detective work from a study that found unsecure supply chain systems could be easily utilised for malware.

“Earlier this week, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia granted Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit permission to disrupt more than 500 different strains of malware with the potential for targeting millions of innocent people. Codenamed “Operation b70,” this legal action and technical disruption proceeded from a Microsoft study which found that cybercriminals infiltrate unsecure supply chains to introduce counterfeit software embedded with malware for the purpose of secretly infecting people’s computers. In disrupting these malware strains, we helped significantly limit the spread of the developing Nitol botnet, our second botnet disruption in the last six months.”

The new incarnation of the iPhone, the iPhone 5 has been shown to the press and public, but does it have the “wow” factor? I have been reading some articles and the tech specs of the new device and for me personally it does not have anything that would make me rush out and buy one.

The main change is in the USB connection that is much smaller than the current one, this means you will need to purchase a “Lightening” adapter at £18 to allow you to connect any 3rd party hardware you have, such as speakers.

“The device’s new size allows it to display an extra row of app icons on its home screen.

The firm said it was 18% thinner and 20% lighter than the iPhone 4S. However, it does not feature an NFC (near field communication) chip to allow it to make touchless payments”

Now there will be many buyers for the new iPhone as Apple do have a core client base that will buy anything they release, I know some devote Apple users who have iPhones original, 2, 3, 3GS, 4 and 4GS, similar with iPad. While its not wrong its a personal choice and I do this myself in sticking with new releases of Window OS, but are Apple innovating enough to make you open your wallet for this new shiny gadget? especially as we all know in 4-6 months time there will be an iPhone 5GS.

I don’t knock the iPhone as its a superb entrance into the “smartphone” arena, but there are other choices and some are more innovative than this new iPhone, that are now more easy to use, just take the Windows Mobile series, back when Windows Mobile 6 was out it was not an easy OS to use, now with Windows Mobile 7 and soon 8, its much easier and offers new exciting ways to use a mobile.

Choice is yours but I would like to hear your thoughts on not just the new iPhone 5 but the other mobile OS’s?

Well a bot… oops bit of good news on the spam front is that a hacker who sold a huge list of 70k+ of infected PCs to to spammers has been jailed in the USA, and good I say too as these people cause misery for many novice PC users as they can have personal data including banking information stolen from them.

I personally would not let him use a PC ever again and not a 3yr supervisory order, as I think for this level of criminality it should be one strike and your out!

“A US hacker who sold access to thousands of hijacked home computers has been jailed for 30 months.

Joshua Schichtel of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced for renting out more than 72,000 PCs that he had taken over using computer viruses.

Millions of PCs are enrolled in these networks, known as botnets, and many help to send out junk mail messages.

Schichtel’s customers installed their own malicious software on the PCs to aid their own cybercrime efforts.

As well as going to prison for 30 months, Schichtel was also sentenced to a three-year supervised release programme that he will serve after leaving jail. The supervision will tightly control his access to computers and the net.

Nokia yesterday unveiled their new range of Windows 8 Phones in a bit of glitz and a little bit of bugs in the system in New York. The bugs where that the video presentation at the start of the press release was in best traditions of tech releases a bit buggy, the video stuttered and lost sound on occasion, so not the best of launches

“Nokia revealed two new Windows Phone 8 Lumias at a press event in New York City this morning.

From the circuit board on up, the new phones – the Nokia Lumia 820 and the Nokia Lumia 920 — were designed to take full advantage of Windows Phone 8, Microsoft’s forthcoming phone operating system, says Terry Myerson, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Windows Phone Division. At the press event, Nokia showed off the two next-generation Lumias, available in a number of colors, as well as some accessories, including a wireless chargers and speakers.”

Hopefully the launch bugs in the presentation are not a sign of things to come as Nokia needs the new Windows 8 Phones to succeed and from the tech specs they do offer much more than Apples current iPhone4, that said Apple are launching their new iPhone 5

5 Sept: Nokia/Microsoft (New York)

Expected to unveil two Windows Phone 8 handsets

5 Sept: Motorola/Verizon (New York)

Android device for the US market

6 Sept: Amazon (Santa Monica)

Kindle Fire 2 tablet and speculation of a “surprise” handset

12 Sept: Apple (San Francisco)

Unveiling of iPhone 5

18 Sept: Motorola (London)

Details of firm’s first Intel-powered smartphone

19 Sept: HTC (New York)

Likely to include company’s first Windows Phone 8 handset

List above from BBC Technology News HERE with some comments from tech writers and some comments from end users.

Will the new Nokia Lumia series Windows 8 Phones be a success, well I hope so as the Windows 7 and new 8 Phones are a bit undervalued by many “smartphone” users sadly, when they are a superb device, they are more a business user phone as you can connect to Outlook Exchange easily, you have a version of Microsoft Office Mobile and the sync capabilities are fantastic and soon to be much better with the release of Windows 8 and Surface Tablets.

The release of Windows 8 and Surface Tablets will give the user a unified look and feel, will sync devices with ease and not be as expensive as the equivalent Apple products as in iPhone+iPad+iMAC.

Nokia will just have some competition from other phone makers such as Samsung and HTC as they are to release Windows 8 Phone powered devices.

I have to say a judge with a sense of humour, it is rare these days. I have not really been following too closely the Apple vs Samsung legal spat, although I do know the background of the patient “hoohaa” surrounding it.

William Lee had named 22 people he wanted to rebut testimony given by Samsung’s choice of experts.